Friends of Bridgeport Football Golf Tourney June 15 at BCC to Honor Legacy of Reppert, Jamison, Reep

You ever want to get the best of Bridgeport High School football Coach Josh Nicewarner? Or maybe one his assistant coaches.

Or maybe you’d like to get the upper hand on one of the BHS administrators. Better yet, perhaps you just want to get past a bunch of Indian football supporters, or anyone else who likes to compete.

If you meet any of those criteria or perhaps one not listed, there’s an event that not only can help you on any of those front, but one that will help others. On Thursday June 15, the 2nd Annual Friends of Bridgeport Football Golf Tournament will be held at the Bridgeport Country Club.

It’s the event that was formally the Mary A. Reppert, Wayne Jamison Bob Reep Tournament. While it’s the second year for the Friends of Bridgeport Football, this would mark the 20th anniversary of the Reppert-Jamison-Reep event.

While the name has changed, the goal is the same. And that it to provide scholarships for Indian football players in the name of the three mentioned above. The late Reppert was a long-time educator who fervently backed the program, while Jamison is responsible for the first four of Bridgeport’s nine state championships. Reep is the individual whose idea let to the start of the tournament that has produced tens of thousands in scholarship dollars.

“It’s one of our major fundraisers, but first and foremost it’s an opportunity to continue what are three tremendous scholarship that are awarded annually to football players,” said Travis Jones, the Voce of the Indians who heads up the Friends program. “It’s fun and it’s something everyone looks forward to, but the end result is to get a scholarship to three deserving seniors.

Last year, more than 100 golfers gathered at Bridgeport Country Club. Jones and fellow organizer Ryan Nicewarner, who serves at the color analyst to Jones during football games, are expecting a big turnout this year as well.

The June 15 event is in a scramble format with teams of four players. Registration begins that day at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

The cost to participate is $100 per player and $400 per team. The fee includes cart, green fees, prizes for top three finishing teams, skill prizes, a silent auction and a post-tournament dinner.

“We had a lot of success in our first year of running the tournament and that was important because we didn’t want to falter on what the tournament had become under the guidance of the Bridgeport Alumni & Friends Foundation,” said Jones. “I didn’t have much involvement prior to getting involved last year, but I know it’s always been sold out or close to it and that’s the result of the hard work of those who labored hard for all the right reasons. It’s a first class event.”

While the event is first class, Ryan Nicewarner said the golfing isn’t necessarily first class. While he said many are skilled, many are scratch golfers – and that’s not a problem.

“It’s for golfers of all abilities and, honestly, most of the people there aren’t there to compete in any type of aggressive nature because they know what it is and what it isn’t. It’s definitely not a PGA event,” Nicewarner joked. “It’s lighthearted and, yes, we do award prizes. The goal, though, are those scholarships.

“I guess it’s easy for me to say that it’s not about good golfing because if I pick up some clubs this year I’ll be at the bottom of the pack,” he continued. “I didn’t golf last year, but did find it enjoyable to ride around in the cart and visit golfers or maybe heckle a few people. Most of the time, and I’m using this term loosely here, I’m a gentleman out on the course.”

Along with funds raised by participating teams and individuals, money is raised with hole sponsorships. Organizations can sponsor a hole for $100. Jones and Nicewarner both recommend registering early as last year’s field was full and a few were added to the field the day of the event. It’s the result, they say, of the work of the past.

“You have Bob Reep to thank for this and the work by Steve and Darletta Stout, Cookie Compton, Alice Rowe and so many others. It’s a tradition to come and play and we hope they’ll come and enjoy the golf and the fun afterwards,” said Ryan.

The fun afterwards includes the awarding of honors and also dinner. Once again, steaks from Young and Stout and the fixings will be part of the menu.

“We hope to see a good turnout and we hope to have good weather,” said Jones.